Nicole Deschamps, Kilimanjaro

“Hey Mrembo” (Nicole’s Swahili name – meaning ‘pretty’), Lindsay calls to Nicole who is climbing slightly ahead up Barranco Wall - a steep rock climb towards the summit of Kilimanjaro. “Crikey, it’s a good job we pushed BootCamp – my quads are enjoying this!” Nicole calls back, “Mtanashati(Lindsay’s Swahili name – meaning ‘handsome’), push through... how about burpees at the summit?!” We mount the Barranco wall with fair ease and never complain of leg fatigue! Two days later, we both successfully summited Uhuru Peak – the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro.

My enjoyment of summiting Kili wasn’t the top of the mountain... yes, the glaciers and sunrise was beautiful but the experience and journey had me all in... Fall in Love with the process and the results will follow.

Discipline of the simple stuff was critical; discipline of enough water, enough food and if you can’t talk and walk you are going too fast! The sun was also a huge enemy as there are no clouds up there to protect us from the UV rays!

Why did I climb? I love adventure and, of course, Mthanashati (Lindsay) was very difficult to say no to! But mostly, to challenge myself and change my perspective! I was definitely fit enough but could I be ‘comfortable with being uncomfortable’? And enjoy the journey? YES, I loved every minute! No bed, no hot showers, no toilets, just nomadic tents and increasing challenges. The lack of modern ‘busy’ created gratitude for the simple like getting enough drinking water, a hot bowl of ‘wash water’, to Lindsay helping me to wash my hair out this wash-water bowl (provided for washing of faces morning and night). Being above the clouds every day was a fantastic perk!

Nic Brien

"I registered with Fitness Maniacs about 4 years ago as I needed a more focused training structure when working out. I received this and a whole lot more. The trainers at Fitness Maniacs are experts in their fields who make the sessions interesting and fun, ensuring you push yourself so that when you finish your training you know you’ve worked out! Another nice element to the training is the groups I train in – the people are fun and motivated which helps you push yourself during the sessions.

When I did the challenge in 2015, I enjoyed the information, feedback and motivation from the Maniacs team. 12 weeks is a long time when you are training hard and eating strictly, so it helps to get this communication.

I would recommend Fitness Maniacs to anyone who is wanting to get into a motivated training group, and those who are keen to get into better shape."

Nic Brien

Lindsay Strachan, Kilimanjaro

“Hey Mrembo” (Nicole’s Swahili name – meaning ‘pretty’), Lindsay calls to Nicole who is climbing slightly ahead up Barranco Wall - a steep rock climb towards the summit of Kilimanjaro. “Crikey, it’s a good job we pushed BootCamp – my quads are enjoying this!” Nicole calls back, “Mtanashati (Lindsay’s Swahili name – meaning ‘handsome’), push through... How about burpees at the summit?!” We mount the Barranco wall with fair ease and never complain of leg fatigue! Two days later we both successfully summited Uhuru Peak – the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro.

My summiting of Kili wasn’t in any way easy nor was it normal. I will acknowledge four people who without them I wouldn’t have summited Kili and may even have pushed it wrongly and failed at my goal attempt – namely Nicole Deschamps (my Kili partner), Rajab (HasanAthuman Rajab - the chief guide from Tanzania and head of all the porters), Milesh Morar and Wendy Bramley.

- Nicole was the person who got my heart and brain to the summit. It’s crucial to team well – tenting, hiking & climbing life with Nicole was slick, simple and supportive. A BootCamp Kili-partner is the way to go - I can strongly recommend it if you are to ‘push on through’ and make it.

- Rajab was the person who got my physical body to the summit. Unbeknown to me at the time, I was suffering from a severe lung infection (bacterial pneumonia). I was extremely confused by my inability to breathe almost at all. On only 57% oxygen in my blood, Rajab stuck with me step-by-step to the summit!

Climbing Kili was THE most defining and meaningful directional point in my life. It defines my new life from 2015. I recall being asked what my goal was to climbing Kili? It’s simple really – everything before in my past years doesn’t count, this is me now, my way of life, my happiness – ME. I wanted to summit Kili to underline my pride in achieving ME summiting my life in this year – 2015. The past pales – this is the ME NOW.

On my way to the summit, I reached Stella Point extremely out of breath. This is only 139m below the highest peak, Uhuru, and possibly only a kilometre walk. At this point, I considered my tool drawer and thought of BootCamp and my very recent final conditioning training sessions with Milesh (along with Nicole) and thought: “20 steps... sets of 20 steps... that’s about 100 sets... my legs are OK... just breathe... ‘pole pole’ (Swahili for ‘slow slow’)... I can do this!”.

About Fitness Maniacs

Through our 12 week challenge, not only will you improve your physique, but you may also be in line to win incredible prizes valued at R30 000, which includes an all expenses paid 3 day cruise for 2 for the overall winner. Weekly group training sessions are run by our team of highly experienced personal trainers.